Sheriff of Nottingham

Hello all,

I have been building a Ziroli p47 thunderbolt (72" span) over the last year. Our winter is well and truly here in the UK and i have had plenty of time for building. Not going to do a step by step commentary, but i will add pics as i go and will update regularly.

NCIS

Frank,

It's looking real good so far. Hope to see more pictures soon.

Gibbs

bird403

Hi Frank,

I am very interested in thread, thanks for sharing with us.

I am thinking of starting Ziroli P47 build in about 3 months, so I will be watching very closely.

Did you buy the short kit from Ziroli? Looks to be good quality in the photo's.

Sheriff of Nottingham

[Hello Bird,

I ordered the full kit from Precision Cut Kits. It worked out cheaper to import from the states, including the UK duty, to do it this way. At the time i was looking for one, we only had one or two kit cutters in the UK and they were pretty expensive. We now have a company called Belair Kit Cutters who, from what i understand, produce excellent kits, so next time i order i will probobaly use them. The pics that i have included so far are from last winter, so i am well into the build now. Once i summed up Zirolis methods, which are mainly tradional, the kit is going together beutifully. I have a Zenoha G38 for power and robart retracts, which are great bits of kit. In preparation for the build i built a Topflite p47 fitted with a os 91fs and century jet retracts. I didnt spend too much time on it as it is only a hack model, turns out to be one of the best flying models i own.

bird403

Thanks for the info Frank, i will take a look at Precision. Hey the TF P47 looks pretty drarn good for a "hack model". good to hear it is a good flyer. This the main reason I am choosing to build a P47, to give myself best chance for success in keeping it around for a long time.

Take care will check back from time to time...

bentwings

We have built a number of Ziroli warbirds and so far the best "kits" have been the one we cut ourselves. It takes about 30 hours to cut the average kit and maybe another 10 or so for a twin. We just buy a big pile of wood usually 3 times what we need and select the best stuff. Get 2 sets of plans and cut one up for patterns and glue them on with contact sement. Time we have a lot of and $$$ we don't. We have had bad luck with the cut kits not fitting. We get plenty of wood with them but we still have to recut parts. Nothing gained. We also build a lot of features in as we are building rather than trying to install them after the build. Don't be afraid to cut something apart and re do it. Better to do it inthe build than after it is painted.

Sheriff of Nottingham

A few more pics, and the chap who will be at the controls.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

good luck with it, I'm finishing up a TF 85" span P47, thread is on here so have a look when you get a chance. Lots of guys post interesting stuff in there.
cheers
PEter

bentwings

That's the best looking pilot I've seen. Great Job!!!!

Sheriff of Nottingham

Just started appling panel lines, im using 1/64 chartpack tape. Pretty easy to use, just have to ensure panels pre-marked.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

who makes the pilot? Good looking chap!

Your 47 is coming along nicely. I hope to be at priming stage in short order on mine.

Sheriff of Nottingham

Peter,

The pilot is a modified BBI chap. I have just won him off ebay, please dont ask the cost. He his actually 1/6 scale and my plane is 1/7, but with a bit of tweeking im sure he will look a.o.k. I saw the same sort of chap in a 1/5 scale p47 at a show, and he also looked about right, so they are pretty adaptoble.

cheers, Frank

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

ahh ok I have several of the dragon and 21st century ones, the face on yours looks much better theough. Got mine on ebay for around $25 each, one was about $10.

Think I have 4 of em in all and managed to get 2 more at good prices for acouple of the guys on my 47 thread

bentwings

He looks like young John Wayne. Not all bad at that.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

was thinking more like Robert Mitchum [:-]

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

gessus now we are showing our ages! [8D]

Jetjockgb

My Feedback: (4)

Hi Frank,

I just noticed the pic of my bolt at the Baldock show,I wish now that I had never sold her[][]

Frank your build is looking good,do you think you will have her done for this years Baldock???/

Cheers Graham.
WWW.TIGERMODELS.NET

Sheriff of Nottingham

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the positive comment, its your model that has inspired me. I have numerous pics of it on my PC and often refer to the detail and attention that has been paid to it, superb. I dont blame you for regretting selling it, it was awesome. Its my intention to build the 1/5 scale when this one is done and dusted, providing its a good flyer. I am looking towards the backend of this year for completion, the wing is built, just waiting on some 4.5" wheels so i can cut out for the gear. Never taken any model or entered at any shows, but i do go and support most shows each year.

Good to hear from you, and all the best,

Frank

Sheriff of Nottingham

Anyway chaps, whose Robert Mitchum???

jcflysrc

My Feedback: (50)

One of the coolest macho he-man who ever graced the silver screen....I think so anyway. They don't make em like that anymore.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

no unfortunately, he had the mancing look and quality about him. Great for westerns, gangster or cop shows

Sheriff of Nottingham

Not really alot been happening. Fuselage and cowl has been panel lined and primed up. I would like to add rivets but i am unsure how to get a good scale look. I would be greatful for any advice in this area.

Jetjockgb

My Feedback: (4)

Hi Frank,

She is looking great,you have done a good job on the panel lines an hatches,I would burn all the rivets with the soldering iron and brass tube,it will give you a nice flush rivet finish.

What colour scheme are you going to finish her in,if you are going for a chrome finish I would recomend the Lesonal Platnum, but for this you have to apply a black base coat,here is pic of a P51 I'm doing fo a customer.

Cheers Graham.
WWW.TIGERMODELS.NET

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

I use a small diameter brass tube, sharpened on the inside, and chucked up in a soldering gun to burn flush rivets. I do this in a silver base coat of paint as it is usually harder than the primer and holds the rivets better.

Sheriff of Nottingham

Graham,

Thanks for the fast response, first class. I,m not sure how to finish her yet, not really thought of a colour scheme. I have never heard of Lesonal Platnum, would you be good enough to enlighten me. That P51 looks mint, do you build them as well as finish them?